Husqvarna GT52XLS 52" Kawasaki 24HP 960430159 Riding Lawn Mower w/ Hydrostatic Drive

This is the WORST garden tractor I have ever owned, period. Mine had 3 hours on it when, on a flat grass field, the Weldment Front Deck Suspension Husqvarna part # 574822501 separated from deck and started tearing (ploughing) the grass, while it was badly bent as the result of going backwards for just a couple feet. I stopped operating and removed the Weldment Front Deck Suspension. It costs $61 to $100 to replace... but I'm bringing it to the dealer as I suspect my garden tractor could be a LEMON, because of the following additional problems:1. As mentioned before, the fabricated deck is very heavy and thus the tractor consumes a lot of gasoline and is hard to drive. This tractor's deck shaves the soil on every small bump instead of adjusting and cutting the grass properly.2. No matter how high or low the deck is raised/lowered, it just does not work right. The deck goes straight on a slight "slope" and cuts the grass unevenly.3.Steering wheel is a joke and the covering on it slides down and up or sideways preventing me from concentrating on what I should be doing, which is mowing the grass! No... I must watch the steering wheel and the cover on it keeps on sliding in all directions! Plus the steering wheel is not exactly round and is hard to turn it.4. The entire tractor is hard to handle because it is too heavy for the engine and to awkward made and it gulps gasoline by a bucket! Prepare a lot of gasoline to mow your field with this one!5. The left (clutch) pedal and the right pedal as well are rattling (badly vibrate) already while idling. Something is wrong. I don't know what. The dealership confirmed to me that it's a problem. One of the right pedal grips fell out.6. The battery could not handle the starting and died. Took too long to start it and so I bought a new batter already! Questionable quality Kawasaki engine.7. This is a majour one - while mowing grass on a flat and level field (had 3 hours on it) the Weldment Front Deck Suspension Husqvarna part # 574822501 separated from deck and started "ploughing" or tearing the grass, while it was badly bent. I stopped operating immediately when I noticed that and removed the Weldment Front Deck Suspension. It costs $61 to $100 to replace... but I'm bringing it to the dealership as I suspect my garden tractor could be a LEMON.P.S. The dealership describes the problem thusly: the front deck bracket fell off.8. My first one GT52XLS had to be returned as it was spitting lots of oil and the engine kept dying soon after driven for a few seconds. I had quite an effort (struggle) trying to get a replacement! Now this is my second one, again multiple problems!9. Hard to start when cold. Much harder than my older, smaller Husqvarna. Are Kawasaki engines really good? I an beginning to doubt Japanese quality. The dealership was unable to start it right in front of me, it took them quite a while to start it.10. I overpaid for it by at least $250. Cost wise this product is unsatisfactory and should not cost more than ~$2500.11. Rearing this tractor is a joke, because the deck grass shoot protector is only made to go drive forward. When you drive backwards, the black "rubber" shoot protector keeps on jumping up and down like crazy unless you bend over and hold it up with a hand risking getting stones into your face. I just found out what is wrong - the discharge chute is miscut at the factory and is hanging too low. The manufacturer says it's all good. I believe HUSQVARNA are being ridiculous trying to save their butts. They told me, wear and tear! After 3 hours it is wear and tear on the discharge chute that is tough like a stone!? There is not a scratch on it yet. It is incorrectly cut. That's what it is! I begin to think that the manufacturer is trying to become liars?12. The whole tractor is awkward to drive and handles rather like a tree stump. And did I mention the consumption of gasoline on it is through the roof! No wonder it's got a 5 gallon tank instead of a usual 2-3 gallon one.13. The deck lift has weird and confusing numbering on it and is hard to operate. It gets stuck and I can't lower it or raise it to the highest or the lowest number. Have to brute force (with both hands) the deck into the 3.5 (highest) position. Cuts grass unevenly while new blades, new everything. Deck is not floating. And this is a new tractor with 3 hours on it!14. One of the wheels on the tractor is wobbling and it feels like it is going to fall off soon! Manufacturer did not comment on that one. Ignored it.15. The rear push-or-drive "wire" (the one in the rear that you pull to push the tractor) is so thin and looks so out of place with this rather large garden tractor. Why not design something that looks and feels good?16. The entire thing wants to go straight when I turn. The deck drives it straight and down into the ground. It feels really weird operating this tractor, as if I was driving a stump and the steering wheel design feels like it is badly dented and is wrapped with some soft material that prevents me from mowing the grass properly!17. While in neutral gear it is very hard to push and the tractor makes a gulk-gulk-gulk sound resisting the push. In other words - transmission disengage not working.18. The front wheels are facing inward like an "A" towards front, which makes this tractor even harder to push, drive or save gasoline with it.19. Difficult, or rather impossible to see fuel level through sight gauge.20. Water stays on seat (not a big deal though).21. When I purchased this "garden tractor" new, I was not warned that my grass should be flat like a table glass in a gold course in order for this tractor to operate.This is a COMPLETE FAILURE of a product and I demand my money back or another product of my choice.HUSQVARNA refuses to replace it with a new one either. They say it is my fault that the weldment suspension separated from a deck. Yes! My fault for mowing grass with it! I should have kept it in the garage instead!Husqvarna told me to bring it to the dealership for repairs. How can you repair a lemon or something that was badly designed and manufactured? This tractor is PURE TROUBLE! No wonder there are no reviews on it! People are probably returning these in droves!Buy cheaper, smaller ones with stamped decks. You will be wasting your money, time and health buying this one! I would avoid Husqvarna products, especially the larger tractors, that are such a waste of money. Buy Japanese or whatever. But beware, KAWASAKI (kinda sucky) engines may not be as good as it may sound to you. Hard to start! Get damage easily in the rain!One good thing so far - the engine seems to be quieter. It is a Japanese engine after all. Shame on the Japanese for allowing to use their engine on this POS. Hmmm, and did I mention yet that the engine is hard to start?!As a result of multiple failures and troubles with all kinds of products, I stopped consuming whatsoever, cut my spending on food and cut other bills, only keep spending on my hobby. I'm tired of increasingly crappy products and especially the Planned Obsolescence that's being widely practiced by today's corporations.

I'm not sure how much extra good the welded mowing deck does. The mower seems to be well built, but for the cost I can think of a couple changes.1.) The mower's engine is under-powered. I frequently bogged down the mower to the point it stopped the engine even on the highest blade height level.2.) There is a port for an external battery charger. This should be included with the mower, not purchased separately.3.) Forward and backward seat movement requires lifting the seat and using a wrench to adjust bolts. Why isn't there a lever mounted seat adjustment? Other brands offer this. If the mower is used by the husband and wife, using a wrench to adjust the seat every time is impractical.4.) The rubber ends on the front bumper will come off if you rub something like siding on a house. They are not glued on.5.) It could use a faster forward speed. I've seen some mowers are noted as "high-speed" versions, while others are not. The two-three mile-per-hour difference is noticeable.6.) There are warnings not to use E15 fuel. In the Southern areas of the United States, E15 fuel is very prevalent. This is 2015 and the fuel system should be built to accommodate the modern fuels. Heck, I can use E85 in my 2005 Craftsman 42-inch riding mower.Otherwise, it starts good, it turns and rides nicely, and goes up small embankments fairly well. It doesn't feel tipsy and turns tightly.

Just purchased a new 2015 GT 52 XLS Husqvarna. I'm very pleased with the performance and quality. The machine was much less expensive than the John Deere machine with similar features and capabilities.My issues are not serious, but are noteworthy:1- The tractor came with a Kohler engine. The website specifies a Kawasaki. The dealer says that this changed for the 2015 models.2- The paperwork that came with the machine included a Kawasaki guarantee form and a good parts catalogue for the tractor, but no Owners Manual and no Kohler engine manual. The dealer was apologetic but couldn't help. He opened another package from an identical machine and this one also lacked an Owners Manual, but did include an engine manual for a Briggs & Stratton engine(?!).The Husqvarna support line was unapologetic and just told me to download and print my own manual. Can do, but it seems that for $3200 they could include a manual.3- I am mildly disappointed that the max cutting height is 3-1/2".I included all this information on the online product review form on the Husqvarna website and the review was rejected by Husqvarna.

I've had mine for 3 years and not had a problem yet. The welded deck is heavy and maybe a little tall for the space below the tractor thus limiting how far the deck can travel up and down. The Kawi is a great motor and starts easily even after sitting all winter in a cold shed.

Awesome